[Children’s Day Hand-Play Songs] A Collection of Nursery Rhymes & Traditional Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids to Enjoy Together

cherry

[Fingerplay Song] Active Nursery Teacher Demonstrates “Sakuranbon”! [With Singing and Movements]

Sakuranbon is a hand-play song themed around cherries, which are in season from May to July.

You use your hands and arms to represent cherries and keep the rhythm by swinging your arms widely from side to side.

The cherry fruits are shown with clenched fists! You can stack your clenched hands under your chin to look like a beard, place them on top of your head to imitate a bear, or stretch your arms straight out in front to show driving a car—there are lots of different poses included.

Of course, you can freely change the poses made with your clenched hands! What unique poses will the children come up with?

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Squeeze, squeeze, kashiwa mochi.Sakushi: Sakura Tomoko / Sakkyoku: Ozawa Tatsuyuki

A nursery classic to sing: “Kashiwa Mochi Gyuggyu” [Children’s Day, nursery music play, hand-play song]

An adorable children’s song that rhythmically depicts the fun of making kashiwa-mochi.

Its structure lets kids sing while doing hand-play motions, which naturally draws out their body movements and helps develop a sense of rhythm.

Featured in numerous early childhood education books—such as “Instant Hand-Play & Piano Accompaniment for Ages 0–2”—the song is widely used in kindergartens and nurseries.

Try singing it at home with your child while enjoying the hand-play.

And after the fun, how about some real kashiwa-mochi for a snack?

A caterpillar

[Fingerplay Song] An Active Nursery Teacher Demonstrates “One Little Caterpillar”! [With Singing and Motions]

May is also the season when fresh green leaves are beautiful.

Many children probably get absorbed in observing insects in parks and nature, don’t they? “One Little Caterpillar” is an adorable song that depicts a caterpillar dancing and hopping with friends, then getting tired and falling asleep! You can enjoy a fingerplay by wiggling your raised finger like a caterpillar.

Numbers appear in the lyrics, making it perfect for practicing counting! For indoor play, singing while looking at picture books or field guides may make it easier to imagine.

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A-I-U-E-O nigiriSakushi Sakkyoku: Shuu Saeko

♪ A-I-U-E-O Onigiri — Let's have onigiri together from the morning ♪ [with choreography]

A bright, rhythmic tune themed around the joy and smiles of making rice balls as a family.

With lyrics that spark curiosity and imagination about everyday ingredients, it captivates children’s hearts.

First broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in April 2001, the song has been covered by many artists, including Satoko Yamano and the Himawari Kids.

It’s used in nursery schools and kindergartens as part of food education, and it’s also recommended to hum along at home while making onigiri with your child.

Get on the busSakushi sakkyoku: Taniguchi Kunihiro

[With Choreography] Riding the Bus / Okaasan to Issho | Working Vehicles Animation | Daisuke Yokoyama, Takumi Mitani

Kunihiro Taniguchi’s rhythmic children’s song is brimming with charm, inviting listeners to vividly imagine the fun of riding in vehicles.

Set to a gently swaying melody, it’s a piece that lets you express with your whole body the bus’s rocking motion and the thrill of turning.

Released in May 2008 and later included in the September 2020 album “Teacher Ti’s Kids Love It! Play Songs,” the track has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” and is frequently sung at nursery school and kindergarten events.

As a hand-play song that children can enjoy together, it’s a perfect choice for family bonding time and making memories.

Animal Exercises 1-2-3Sakushi • Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi

Animal Exercise 1-2-3 (with moves) - The rabbit’s exercise goes boing-boing, boing-boing-boing-boing~ [exercise]

A charming exercise song that lets kids joyfully move their bodies, taking inspiration from animal gestures.

It starts with a gentle rhythm and is packed with ideas that naturally make children want to move—jumping together to the music, swinging their arms wide—while helping develop their motor skills.

It has frequently been featured on popular preschool TV shows like NHK Educational’s “Inai Inai Baa!” and “Okaasan to Issho,” and covers by various artists have also drawn attention.

Perfect not only for sports days and morning exercise time, but also for celebrating Children’s Day with the whole family.

Bamboo Shoot ExercisesSakushi: Nakazawa Yoshihiro / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi

♪Takenoko Exercises – Daba-daba, daba-daba, dadda, papapapa, papapapa, run run~♪ (with choreography)

Featured on numerous releases, including Nippon Columbia’s album “The Best: Kids Exercise Songs,” this piece is a bright, rhythmic track themed around the growth of bamboo shoots.

Since its release in April 2006, it has remained a favorite at sports days and in early childhood activities.

The composition is by Nobuyoshi Koshube, who worked on music for NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” for 40 years, with lyrics by Yoshihiro Nakazawa.

With a comfortable tempo and easy-to-enjoy choreography, it’s perfect not only for exercise time in kindergartens and nursery schools, but also for families to enjoy moving together at home.